New Delhi, Jul 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday after facing intense public and political pressure following weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged examination irregularities that sparked one of the largest youth movements in recent years.
Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after sustained demonstrations by students and youth organisations demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s examination system. The protests, which spread across several cities, had made his resignation one of their key demands.
The resignation comes just days after Prime Minister Modi addressed anxious students and parents across the country, seeking to reassure them that the government was committed to restoring the credibility of India’s examination system.
Reiterating the Centre’s resolve to take the strictest possible action against those who compromise the integrity of public examinations, Modi announced sweeping reforms aimed at rebuilding public trust.
On Friday, the Centre initiated a series of measures, including restructuring the National Testing Agency (NTA), removing 42 officials linked to examination-related irregularities, and launching special investigations into paper leak cases. The government maintained that only a comprehensive systemic overhaul, not isolated action against a few individuals could prevent such incidents from recurring.
Student organisations and protest leaders welcomed Pradhan’s resignation as an important step towards accountability.
However, they stressed that their movement would continue until meaningful structural reforms are implemented to ensure transparent, fair and secure public examinations, along with a roadmap for quality education and dignified employment opportunities for the country’s youth.
The protests, backed by opposition parties and civil society groups, had disrupted Parliament and attracted international attention. More recently, activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his prolonged hunger strike after the government assured talks on education reforms. Student groups, however, reiterated that their agitation would continue until concrete reforms are implemented and their long-standing demands are addressed.
Pradhan, who served as Union Education Minister since 2021, oversaw the implementation of the National Education Policy and several higher education reforms. However, repeated controversies surrounding national entrance examinations came to define the final phase of his tenure, ultimately culminating in his resignation.
